Atrium Health Navicent has contributed $25,000 in matching funds to the Middle Georgia Community Food Bank to address food insecurity in central Georgia. The food bank can provide six meals for every dollar donated due to its ability to purchase food in bulk.
In addition, Atrium Health Navicent donated $10,000 to Loaves and Fishes and $15,000 to the Society of St. Andrew. Earlier this year, the health system partnered with the Society of St. Andrew for a community event that distributed fresh produce boxes to 2,000 families. The recent funding will support a Hancock County distribution on Thursday, providing 3,600 pounds of produce to local families.
“This is a season of thankfulness and for giving, and thanks to the good work being done by community partners like Middle Georgia Community Food Bank, Loaves and Fishes and the Society of St. Andrew, we’re helping individuals right here in our community have access to nutritious meals,” said Angeline Doh, manager of Atrium Health Navicent Healthy Communities. “For those with health issues, it’s so important to have a balanced diet, and it is our hope that with these donations from Atrium Health Navicent, we will help take some of the financial burden off our community partners and allow them to assist more local families.”
Both the Middle Georgia Community Food Bank and the Society of St. Andrew are also involved in the Atrium Health Navicent Food as Medicine Market (FAMM). This initiative includes a Specialized Food Pantry open to anyone facing food insecurity. It offers free healthy food options along with nutrition education and assistance enrolling in SNAP benefits.
The Food Farmacy program within FAMM is available through provider referral only for patients under Atrium Health Navicent care who have chronic diseases requiring dietary management. More information about finding an Atrium Health Navicent doctor can be found at www.NavicentHealth.org by clicking “Find A Doctor.”
